Fizik Link R1 Snake bib shorts

Fizik's Link R1 Snake shorts are very well designed and super-comfortable but – wow! – they're expensive.

First, a bit of background info. Fizik is now offering shorts that are designed to work with specific saddles, and those saddles are designed for certain types of riders. You can read about it here.

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This all relates to Fizik's Spine Concept that divides riders into:

* Snakes, with high body flexibility and no pelvic rotation while pedalling.

* Bulls, with low body flexibility and high pelvic rotation while pedalling.

* Chameleons, who are somewhere in between.

You can find out which you are by downloading Fizik's Spine Concept Evo app that's available for Android and iPhone/iPad, or just by going to Fizik's website.

I used the app and it told me that I was a snake by virtue of a stupidly flexible spine, and suggested the Arione R1 saddle – reviewed here. These match up with Link R1 Snake or Link R3 Snake shorts.

The theory is that a snake-type rider doesn't rotate their pelvis while riding, but instead flexes their spine in order to reach the handlebar. The Arione saddles suggested for snakes are long and flat (the idea being 'to guarantee a precise match between the rider's sit bones and the saddle surface, and to allow the maximum freedom of fore and aft movement on the saddle'), and the type of padding and its positioning in the Link R1 Snake shorts are designed to work specifically with Arione saddles and snake-type riders.

The seat pad – made by Elastic Interface, so the quality is guaranteed to be high – comprises a seamless moulded cover that sits next to your skin, and two 3D ring mouldings (one 4mm, the other 10mm, both 120kg/m3) sandwiched on top of a base layer.

I must say, I thought this Spine Concept stuff was OTT; a bit of marketing to differentiate Fizik's products from everyone else's. It's just a bike saddle and shorts, after all. But then I found the Link R1 Snake shorts exceptionally comfortable.

It's a fairly substantial pad that does a fabulous job of cushioning you from pressure whatever position you're riding in. Short rides, long rides, in between length rides... I've stayed comfortable without any issues at all. The pad breathes well to avoid too much sweatiness, the two sides can move independently as you pedal, and there are no seams to make you sore.

Even putting the pad to one side, the Link R1 Snake shorts are still very good, as you'd expect at this price.

They're made mostly from a polyamide/elastane woven fabric that doesn't readily take on water. It's not classed as water resistant but a little road spray will just bead up and roll off, and it dries out quickly too.

Although lightweight, the fabric feels quite compressive and the legs are long, extending almost down to the knees, so you get plenty of support for your quads. A silicone gripper inside the raw edge holds them in place well. Fizik has kept the number of seams low so there's not much scope for rubbing or coming unstitched.

The bib section is stretchy with wide straps that spread the load. They don't breathe as well as mesh straps but they hold everything in place well.

I've used these shorts on saddles other than the Arione too, and they've been equally impressive. Of course, Fizik wants you to buy the shorts and the saddle, and doubtless some combinations work better than others, but you don't need to feel tied into the brand, in my opinion.

> Buyer's Guide: 12 of the best cheap cycling shorts

One other thing that's worth mentioning is that the Link R3 Snake shorts are designed according to the same Spine Concept. The padding isn't quite as advanced and they're a little heavier but, on the other hand, they're a more palatable (but not cheap!) £165.

Overall, the Fizik Link R1 Snake shorts put in an exceptionally good performance, offering a fabulous level of comfort. It's just the price tag that's a whopping great obstacle.

Verdict

Exceptionally comfortable shorts specifically designed to be used with a Fizik saddle... and then there's the price!